Asked to bring food to a party

[Anonymous]

Okay, maybe it's just me, but I find this really weird and bordering on rude. We have been invited to a surprise birthday party for my MIL. We are not involved in the planning nor did we know that it was being given until we got an e-vite. We are now being asked to bring food. FWIW we have a 3 month old and are, you know, kind of exhausted. Am I being unreasonable? Even bitchy?

[Anonymous]

Buy something already prepared. Put it in a disposable dish and take it. Done.

[Anonymous]

If someone invited me to a party for my MIL I would INSIST on bringing something. I would love it if they assigned me a specific course or dish even so I know what they need. I have three kids under 4 so I get it but honestly I couldn't show up at a party for a family member or friend empty handed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, maybe it's just me, but I find this really weird and bordering on rude. We have been invited to a surprise birthday party for my MIL. We are not involved in the planning nor did we know that it was being given until we got an e-vite. We are now being asked to bring food. FWIW we have a 3 month old and are, you know, kind of exhausted. Am I being unreasonable? Even bitchy?

Yes you are. Would it kill you to buy something to bring ?

[Anonymous]

Buy a fruit platter and plastic thing of muffins from the supermarket and call it a day. Nobody's saying you have to cook for two days over a hot stove.

[Anonymous]

Because you have a baby, ask for something easy. Cupcakes you can buy, soda, chips and dip.

You'd bring something regardless since you never show up empty handed to a party.

[Anonymous]

You sound like an exhausted new mother. And that is ok. This is an otherwise very normal acceptable request. Buy something simple as may have suggested above. Go, relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, maybe it's just me, but I find this really weird and bordering on rude. We have been invited to a surprise birthday party for my MIL. We are not involved in the planning nor did we know that it was being given until we got an e-vite. We are now being asked to bring food. FWIW we have a 3 month old and are, you know, kind of exhausted. Am I being unreasonable? Even bitchy?

Sounds like a potluck. Nothing wrong with that. Being asked to cater the whole party would be rude. Asking you to bring something is not a big deal. You must go to the grocery store on occasion even with a 3 month old. Or tell your DH to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

okay, I get it. of course I would bring something. I think it was just in the delivery that put me off.

[Anonymous]

We were told this week to bring "4 bottles of red wine" to a dinner. Not asked, told. Some people just don't have a great way of going about these things. Normally I would bring 1 bottle or a homemade dessert, depending on time and money and what I felt like doing at that point in time.

If you are that against doing it, speak with the host and offer an alternative, or keep your contribution very simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, maybe it's just me, but I find this really weird and bordering on rude. We have been invited to a surprise birthday party for my MIL. We are not involved in the planning nor did we know that it was being given until we got an e-vite. We are now being asked to bring food. FWIW we have a 3 month old and are, you know, kind of exhausted. Am I being unreasonable? Even bitchy?

Any chance they did not include you in the planning b/c they thought you were too exhausted / wrapped up in the new baby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told this week to bring "4 bottles of red wine" to a dinner. Not asked, told. Some people just don't have a great way of going about these things. Normally I would bring 1 bottle or a homemade dessert, depending on time and money and what I felt like doing at that point in time.

If you are that against doing it, speak with the host and offer an alternative, or keep your contribution very simple.

Four bottles of wine?? Good god! What kind of party? How many people will be there? That's a pretty expensive assignment. Are you close to the host? Are other guests being assigned "chips and dip" or "a salad," both of which are inexpensive??! Tell us more. I hope you bring Two-Buck Chuck!

[Anonymous]

Yeah it's tacky, but maybe the people throwing the party are lower income. Just bring wine, beer, chips and salsa or pita and hummus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like an exhausted new mother. And that is ok. This is an otherwise very normal acceptable request. Buy something simple as may have suggested above. Go, relax.

+1 You're allowed to be bitchy... just keep it to yourself. Being a new Mom is tough and tiring and small things like this get to you easier because you are spent. Don't go if you don't feel like it. Tell DH to go and stop by the store and grab something on the way. No big deal.

[Anonymous]

I think it's absolutely fine when it's family.